With just hours to go before the 2023 NFL Draft, reports have emerged that the Baltimore Ravens are finally closing in on a contract extension with star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the two sides have finally agreed to a deal. Minutes before that news broke, he revealed that the catalyst for getting the deal done my have been the blockbuster deal that Jalen Hurts signed earlier this week.
“Once Jalen Hurts’ deal got done, Baltimore stepped up and offered him a deal that trumped it,” Rapoport wrote.
Hurts just signed a five-year, $255 million extension with $180 million guaranteed. Judging by those numbers, Lamar Jackson is likely going to get at least a little bit more than that.
Once Jalen Hurts’ deal got done, Baltimore stepped up and offered him a deal that trumped it. https://t.co/5bGKWK0CDl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 27, 2023
The contract extension for Jackson will put an end to one of the most head-scratching and public contract disputes between a team and its star QB in recent memory.
Earlier this month, Jackson publicly announced that he requested a trade from the team when the Ravens refused to approach his asking price.
But now it appears that Jackson has his money and the Ravens have their quarterback.
All is well that ends well.